EP0762205A1 - Behandlungsgerät für lichtempfindliches Silberhalogenidmaterial - Google Patents

Behandlungsgerät für lichtempfindliches Silberhalogenidmaterial Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0762205A1
EP0762205A1 EP96306213A EP96306213A EP0762205A1 EP 0762205 A1 EP0762205 A1 EP 0762205A1 EP 96306213 A EP96306213 A EP 96306213A EP 96306213 A EP96306213 A EP 96306213A EP 0762205 A1 EP0762205 A1 EP 0762205A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
solution
processing
rollers
sensitive material
photosensitive material
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
EP96306213A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Masayuki Kurematsu
Hiroko Ennyu
Nobuya Yamamoto
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Konica Minolta Inc
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Konica Minolta Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from JP7221991A external-priority patent/JPH0968787A/ja
Priority claimed from JP9106496A external-priority patent/JPH09281683A/ja
Application filed by Konica Minolta Inc filed Critical Konica Minolta Inc
Publication of EP0762205A1 publication Critical patent/EP0762205A1/de
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03D—APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING EXPOSED PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIALS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03D5/00—Liquid processing apparatus in which no immersion is effected; Washing apparatus in which no immersion is effected
    • G03D5/04—Liquid processing apparatus in which no immersion is effected; Washing apparatus in which no immersion is effected using liquid sprays

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a technology which downsizes an automatic processing machine for silver halide photographic light-sensitive material wherein rapid photographic processing with high quality is conducted with a small amount of processing solution.
  • an automatic processing machine which develops silver halide photographic light-sensitive material (hereinafter, it may be referred to as simply "light-sensitive material”) is that for black-and-white light-sensitive material as shown in a schematic drawing shown in Fig. 17, a developing tank, a fixing tank and a washing tank are arranged from the upstream side. Following the washing tank, the final section is a drying section.
  • Black-and-white film F which is a light-sensitive material, passes the conveyance path for the light-sensitive material formed by several paired rollers which are immersed in each processing solution in each processing tank. Finally, the light-sensitive material is dried in the drying section and the developed black-and-white film is taken up.
  • the developing tank is a color developing (CD) tank
  • the fixing tank is a bleach-fixing (BF) tank
  • the washing tank is a stabilizing tank and there are plural stabilizing tanks.
  • the number of tanks is increased.
  • the number of processing steps is further increased, and the number of processing tanks is also further increased.
  • a multi-step counter flow system is known and is put into practical use wherein, as shown in schematic side view in Fig. 18, a processing tank in one processing step is divided into two or more processing tanks, they are arranged in a series and processing solutions and washing water flows counter to the arrowed direction of the conveyance direction of the color paper as a light-sensitive material.
  • This is constituted in such a manner that processing solution is replenished into the final of plural processing tanks in one processing step and the processing solution flows in a direction reverse to the advancement of the light-sensitive material in aforesaid plural processing tanks so that the processing solution overflows from the most upstream tank to be discharged bit by bit.
  • the replenishing amount of washing water and the processing solution can be reduced by utilizing the above-mentioned multi-step counter flow type of processing.
  • the degree of contamination of the processing solution in other words, the density of the dissolved material from the light-sensitive material becomes lower
  • desilvering speed of the light-sensitive material becomes higher. Accordingly, enhancement of processing time becomes possible in addition to reduced need of the replenishing amount of the processing solution.
  • the present invention was made against the above-mentioned problems.
  • the major objects are to provide an automatic processing machine for silver halide photographic light-sensitive material wherein rapid processing, downsizing of an apparatus, reduction of the replenishing amount of the processing solution, reduction of discharged effluent of washing solution or stabilizing solution (or zero flowing), and reduction of cost are achieved and a method of of processing the same.
  • the present invention was attained by the following discoveries. Namely, the present inventors paid close attention to paired rollers which sandwich the light-sensitive material for conveyance. By providing a processing solution retention means such as a solution reservoir to the above-mentioned paired rollers, one set of paired rollers are considered to be a processing tank. By placing plural paired rollers vertically, plural processing tanks can be constituted.
  • the present invention is based on an idea that , if the light-sensitive material is conveyed upward by means of the above-mentioned plural paired rollers and the processing solution is flowed downward, a multi-step counter flow system can be constituted by means of plural paired rollers.
  • Table 1 shows change of density of the processing solution components carried over in each tank from the preceding processing step when the replenishing amount of processing solution to the final tank was varied, provided that the processing solution amount carried over from the preceding processing step to a multi-step counter flow system processing tank together with the light-sensitive material is 50 ml/m 2 .
  • the density of the processing solution component in the final tank can noticeably be reduced.
  • a multi-step counter flow system is constituted by arranging plural paired rollers vertically in one tank. Accordingly, the dimension of the processing machine does not become large.
  • 8 - 12 paired rollers effects of 8 - 12 tank multi-step counter flow system as shown in Table 1 can be obtained. Therefore, in a small-sized low-cost processing machine, the replenishing amount of processing solution can noticeably be reduced.
  • the processing solution retention amount means the retention amount by the processing solution retention means provided in paired roller, aforesaid amount is small and renewal rate by the processing solution replenished from above is speedy so that remaining period of the processing solution is extremely short. Accordingly, a problem of the processing solution storage stability which is the shortcoming of the multi-step counter flow system can be overcome by the present invention.
  • Roller pairs which sandwich the light-sensitive material are placed vertically or rollers are placed vertically in which each roller and a guide member in which at least one surface is plane-like sandwich a film.
  • the processing solution always adheres on or is contained in the surface of the rollers having the processing solution retentive function as described in item (1) above, wherein the surface of the rollers are manufactured with a water-absorption material or a function to constantly feed a prescribed amount of the processing solution on the surface of the roller is provided.
  • a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material includes color paper, color film, black-and-white film, graphic art film and X-ray film.
  • a processing solution includes a developing solution, a color developing solution, a fixing solution, a bleaching solution, a bleach-fixing solution, a washless-stabilizing solution, a stabilizing solution, a rinsing solution, water, small-amount water and preliminary-washing water.
  • the processing solution retention member described in item (4) is a member made of a water-absorption material in which the processing solution is absorbed.
  • Conveyed outside the solution refers to convey the light-sensitive material in the air by means of a conveyance rollers.
  • the light-sensitive material is conveyed in the air from lower to upper and the processing solution is fed onto the rollers and/or the light-sensitive material from upper. Accordingly, after the light-sensitive material is brought into contact with the processing solution retained by the lower rollers, it is brought into contact with the processing solution retained in the upper roller. Therefore, the light-sensitive material is processed by the processing solution having less degree of contamination (the density of diluted materials from the light-sensitive material is lower) successively as conveyed to the rollers. In other words, this is a system in which the processing solution is counter-flowed against the conveyance direction of the light-sensitive material. Since this system has the identical functions as conventional multi-step counter flow system wherein plural processing tanks are positioned in series, processing can be conducted effectively with a small amount of processing solution. Therefore, rapid processing can be conducted.
  • the above-mentioned effects lead to reduction of replenishing amount, making rapid processing and downsizing of the machine.
  • the number of rollers placed vertically corresponds to the number of processing tanks position in series in the case of multi-step counter flow processing.
  • the processing solution feeding system in the present invention feeds an amount corresponding to the processing amount of light-sensitive material. Since the amount of storage is the amount retained in the rollers only, processing can be conducted while the amount of solution in the storage section is little compared with the conventional solution dipping processing system. Therefore, the renewal ratio of the processing solution is so high that the processing solution is quickly renewed in such a manner that air oxidation does not cause a problem even if rapid processing at high temperature is conducted. No oxidized precipitants occurs on the rollers.
  • rollers having the processing solution retentive function materials having chemical durability such as a woven fabric, non woven fabric, sintered body and a sponge are preferable. From viewpoint of preventing scratches on the light-sensitive material, soft materials are preferable. In addition, it is preferable that the surface of rollers is a material having water-absorption property or is covered with a water absorption material.
  • the material of the woven fabric or non woven fabric is preferably polyolefin-containing fibers, polyester-containing fibers, polyacrylonitrile-containing fibers, aliphatic polyamide-containing fibers, aromatic polyamide-containing fibers and polyphenylene sulfide fibers.
  • the material of porous materials is preferably silicone rubber, polyurethane rubbers, ethylene propylene rubbers (EPDM), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), neoprene rubbers and butyl-rubber-containing fibers.
  • the preferable material of the rollers having the processing solution retentive function in item (1) is practically porous.
  • the kinds thereof are as follows. Due to this, the rollers can sufficiently absorb and retain the fed processing solution. Accordingly, the multi-step counter flow function effectively functions.
  • the preferable embodiment of the rollers having the processing solution retentive function described in item (1) is structured that a solution reservoir is provided below the rollers, a part of the processing solution fed from the above the rollers is reserved in aforesaid reservoir and a part of the rollers is immersed in a solution in the reservoir. Accordingly, even if the rollers is not a water-absorbing material, a multi-step counter flow function can be provided. Due to the rotation of the rollers, the processing solution is adhered on the surface of the rollers to be retained. Therefore, the light-sensitive material during conveyance is brought into contact with the processing solution adhered on the surface of the rollers to be processed.
  • the solution reservoir has preferably a structure in which the solution is adhered uniformly on the overall surface of the rollers when the rollers are rotated.
  • rollers whose surface is a water-absorption material and the solution reservoir are also preferable to combine.
  • Item (4) provides the processing solution retention member in place of providing the rollers with the processing solution retentive function. Due to placing the processing solution retention member in at least one of between, below and above the rollers and due to processing in the same manner as in item (1), the light-sensitive material is brought into contact with the processing solution absorbed in the processing solution retention member to be retained and be processed. Therefore, the multi-step counter flow function can be provided. Concurrently with this, processability is so improved that processing time can be reduced.
  • the material for the processing solution retention member may be anything provided that it is a water-absorption material which absorbes the processing solution to keep.
  • woven fabrics, non woven fabrics and porous materials are cited.
  • the functions of the processing solution retention member made of such materials is a guide member for the light-sensitive material, a means for causing the processing solution absorbed and retained by aforesaid member directly to be brought into contact with the light-sensitive material or a means for feeding the processing solution indirectly to the light-sensitive material by causing the processing solution retention member to be brought into contact with the rollers and thereby adhering the processing solution onto the surface of the rollers and causing the rollers to be brought into contact with the light-sensitive material.
  • rollers described in items (1) through (5) By arranging the rollers described in items (1) through (5) to be plural rollers which sandwich the light-sensitive material and having the processing solution retentive function, a processing solution squeezing effect on the light-sensitive material by the rollers can be obtained and the difference of the degree of contamination on the processing solution retention section is increased. Accordingly, the density difference in the multi-step counter flowing can be increased. As a result, more preferable effects can be resulted in. Effects regarding to item (7)
  • the processing solution whose temperature is regulated Due to heating at least one of the rollers, the processing solution retained by the rollers and the processing solution retention member, the processing solution whose temperature is regulated is brought into contact with the light-sensitive material under stable solution temperature wherein the processing solution whose temperature is regulated is not chilled due to contacting the rollers or the above-mentioned member. Accordingly, rapid and stable processing becomes possible. As a result, rapid processing at high temperature, making compact and downsizing and reduction of cost can be effected.
  • a structure in which the light-sensitive material is conveyed from a down-path to an up-path in a form of U-turn and the down-path is a fixing step and the up-path is the washing step or the stabilizing step rapid processing and downsizing can be effected due to a small amount such as a diluting water for a fixing condensed solution in the up-path step and also due to the multi-step counter flow function.
  • a fixing solution reservoir section is provided below the rollers so that the heated fixing solution is circulated and brought into contact with the light-sensitive material during the down-path conveyance to be processed. In this occasion, by processing the light-sensitive material while regulating the temperature, stable processing can be conducted.
  • washing water effluent can be re-utilized as a dissolution water for the fixing replenishing solution and thereby washing water effluent can noticeably reduced or substantially cause to zero flow.
  • a system in which the feeding of washing water or stabilizing solution is controlled to an amount in accordance with the light-sensitive material processing amount and that they are reserved in separate tanks so that feeding can be conducted by a quantity measuring pump together with the supply of the fixing solution condensed agent is preferable.
  • the automatic processing machine described in item (21) is applied for an automatic processing machine for color film, wherein a down-path is a bleaching step and an up-path is a fixing step. Compared with conventional processing tank system, making compact and downsizing of the automatic processing machine is effected.
  • a washing step or a stabilizing step is provided in the up-path, which further leads to downsizing.
  • the constitution described in item (44) is that a light-sensitive material is continuously conveyed from the down-path to the up-path in a form of U-turn in the developing step and two or more following steps. Since the light-sensitive material is conveyed outside the solution in one processing tank for at least two or more steps other than the developing step.
  • the range of the processing solution temperature By setting the range of the processing solution temperature to 40 - 70°C, rapid processing can be conducted. Conventionally, however, deterioration of the processing solution at such high temperature causes problems so that rapid processing was actually impossible. However, in accordance with items (1) through (54), almost only necessary amount is fed. Therefore, rapid processing at high temperature became possible.
  • the processing solution temperature is less than 40°C, no noticeable improvement is observed comparing with ordinary processing in terms of fixing (or bleaching) processing. In terms of the washing or stabilizing processing, microbiological slime easily occurs. However, in the case of 40°C or higher, contamination due to microbiology is difficult to occur.
  • ammonium salts are used as the main components of thiosulfate salt and sulfite salt, considering fixing property.
  • the processing solution is scattered (fed) in the air. Therefore, odor of ammonium becomes in question.
  • sodium salt as the main component, ammonium odor can be avoided.
  • dissolution from the film in the washing step or the stabilizing step when the light-sensitive material is conveyed outside the solutions is speedy. Therefore, from viewpoint of rapid washing of the light-sensitive material in each cation, the sodium salt is preferable.
  • Fig. 1 is a side view showing the outline of an example of an automatic development processor of the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a side view showing the outline of an example of an automatic development processor of the present invention.
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a roller having a processing solution maintaining function, and a solution pan, used in the present invention.
  • Fig. 4 is a front view of the roller having a processing solution maintaining function, and the solution pan, used in the present invention.
  • Fig. 5 is a front view of an example showing the relationship between a processing solution maintaining member and the roller, used in the present invention.
  • Fig. 6 is a front view of an example showing the relationship between a processing solution maintaining member and the roller, used in the present invention.
  • Figs. 7(A) and 7(B) are perspective views of an example of a processing solution nozzle used in the present invention.
  • Fig. 8 is a frontal sectional view of an example of a roller pair having a solution pan.
  • Fig. 9 is a frontal sectional view of another example of a roller pair having a solution pan.
  • Fig. 10 is a side sectional view of the roller pair and overflow pipes of its solution pan.
  • Fig. 11 is a side sectional view of the rollers arranged zigzag and their solution pans.
  • Figs. 12(a), 12(b), and 12(c) are a perspective view of an integrated solution pan and its sectional views.
  • Figs. 13(a) and 13(b) are a side sectional view and a frontal sectional view of the roller pair and the solution pan surrounding the roller pair.
  • Fig. 1 is a side view showing an outline of an automatic development processor of the example written in items (1), (2), (5) to (20), and (44) to (57) of the present invention.
  • a development process 10 consists of an immersion processing type processor, including a developing tank 11 and a plurality of conveyance rollers 13, which is similar to a processor in the conventional immersion processing method.
  • a fixing process 30 and a washing process 40 are included in a single processing tank, in which a down-path comprising a plurality of conveyance roller pairs 33 is used as a fixing process 30, and an up-path comprising a plurality of roller pairs 43, having the function of maintaining a processing solution, is used as a washing process 40.
  • a fixing solution reservoir portion 32 and a washing water reservoir portion 42 are provided in the lower portion of each process.
  • a temperature sensor 37 and a heater 36 are connected to the fixing solution reservoir portion 32, and the heated fixing solution is circulation-supplied by a pump 35 from a nozzle 38 provided in an upper portion of the down-path to a photosensitive material F.
  • rollers, processing solution maintaining member, or a processing solution impregnated in these units are heated.
  • a heating means the following is also possible: the rollers or a holding member, which have the processing solution maintaining function, are directly heated by a heater H, and the processing solution, in contact with the photosensitive material, is secondarily heated.
  • the rollers 43 in the up-path have the processing solution maintaining function, and city water is heated by the heater 75 and supplied to rollers 43, having the processing solution maintaining function, provided in the upper portion, and to the photosensitive material F, and is collected in the washing water reservoir portion 42 by its natural dropping. Further, a separation wall 39 is provided between a falling portion and a rising portion so that the solution is not splashed and mixed. Further, a replenishment control unit 72 conducts an operation command control for pumps 73 and 74 corresponding to the processing amount of photosensitive material, and water in the washing solution reservoir portion 42, and a concentrated fixing solution from a replenishment solution tank 71 for fixing solution are supplied to the fixing reservoir 32. A drying process 60 follows to the washing process 40, and the photosensitive material is dry-finished and collected.
  • the processing amount of the photosensitive material is detected by a sensor 81, detecting the width and length of the photosensitive material, which is provided at a position to which the photosensitive material is sent, in an automatic development processor. This information is sent to the replenishment control unit 72, and the replenishment amount of the fixing solution is automatically adjusted by its command.
  • the detected data is not only used to control the replenishment amount of the replenishment solution for the fixing solution, but also to control the replenishment amount of a stabilizing solution or the washing water. Further, in an automatic color development processor, which will be described in the following example, this data can also be used to control the replenishment amount for other processing solutions.
  • the normal-sized photosensitive material when processed, it can be processed by inputting a previously programmed appropriate replenishment amount, without depending on the information of the sensor 81.
  • Fig. 2 is a side view showing an outline of an automatic development processor which is an example described in items (1), (2), and (21) to (57) of the present invention.
  • the first down-path following the development process 10 is a bleaching process 20
  • the first up-path and the second down-path are respectively fixing processes 30A and 30B
  • the second up-path is a stabilizing process 50
  • processing solution reservoirs are respectively provided in the lower portion of each process.
  • Temperature sensors 27, 37A, 37B, and heaters 26, 36A and 36B are respectively connected to the bleaching solution reservoir 22, and two fixing solution reservoirs 32A and 32B.
  • Nozzles 28, 38A, 38B are respectively arranged to face the photosensitive material F, which is positioned on upper rollers in each conveyance path, and each processing solution is circulation-supplied from each nozzle by pumps 25, 35A and 35B.
  • Arrangement of the fixing process 30B of the second down-path and the stabilizing process 50 of the second up-path is the same as that of the example shown in Fig. 1, and rollers having the processing solution maintaining function are provided as rollers in the second up-path.
  • the direction of flow of fixing solution reservoir portion 32A in the first up-path and that of the fixing solution reservoir portion 32B in the second down-path have a counter-flow relationship to each other.
  • a new fixing solution is replenished into the fixing solution reservoir portion 32B in the second down-path, and the solution overflows into the fixing solution reservoir portion in the first up-path.
  • Rollers in the first up-path also have a processing solution maintaining function.
  • the stabilizing solution is supplied from a replenishing solution tank 54 by a pump 55. Temperature and the supply amount of the stabilizing solution are controlled by a temperature sensor 57 and a heater 56, and the stabilizing solution is supplied from a nozzle 58 provided in the upper portion of the tank to a roller 53 and the photosensitive material F in contact with the roller 53.
  • the stabilizing solution in the stabilizing solution reservoir portion 52 and the concentrated fixing solution from the replenishment solution tank for fixing solution 71 are supplied to the second fixing solution reservoir portion 32B, when the replenishment control unit 72 conducts a command, corresponding to the processing amount of the photosensitive material, for operating pumps 73 and 74.
  • the detection value of the sensor 81, or the program setting amount, which has been described above, is inputted into the replenishment control unit 72.
  • a drying process 60 follows to the stabilizing process 50, and the photosensitive materiel is dry-finished and collected.
  • a conventional immersion type tank is used for the development tank.
  • a type which showers the development solution as the circulation processing solution onto the upper roller in an arrangement of roller pairs fitted with solution pans may also be applied in the same manner as the above-described processing processes other than the development process.
  • rollers 33A, 43, and 53 having the processing solution maintaining function, described in the items (3), (13), (24), (37), and (47), the rollers are provided with a solution pan 34 as shown by a perspective view in Fig. 3 and a front view in Fig. 4. Because its function and its effect have been described in the section "Effect", explanation will be omitted to avoid the duplication.
  • rollers 33A, 43, and 53 in items (2), (12), (23), (36), and (46) has also been described in "Effect", the explanation will be omitted.
  • the processing solution maintaining member 101 is not directly contacted with the photosensitive material, the processing solution maintaining member 101 contacts with the rollers 33A, 43, and 53, and the processing solution is supplied to the photosensitive material through the rollers.
  • the processing solution maintaining member 102 directly contacts with the photosensitive material, and the processing solution is supplied to the photosensitive material.
  • Rollers 33A, 43, and 53 mainly convey the photosensitive material upward and introduce the processing solution supplied from the upside so that the processing solution naturally falls downward.
  • an example of the arrangement of nozzles 38, 38A, 38B, 48, and 58 to circulate the processing solution, supply it from the upper portion of the conveyance path of the photosensitive material, and to supply a new solution of the processing solution, washing water, and stabilizing solution from the upper portion has the structure shown in perspective views in Figs. 7(A) and 7(B).
  • the exit portion of the solution is a slit 104
  • the exit of the solution is plural flow ports 105 which are arranged in one line or a zigzag line.
  • the processing solution can be uniformly supplied to the surface of the photosensitive material or the surface of upper rollers.
  • the processing solution or washing water supplied from nozzles 28, 38, 36A, 38B, 48 and 58, provided above the roller pairs 23, 33, 33A, 33B, 43 and 53, (for a simplified description, only roller pairs 33 are taken as the representative example, and referred to as the roller pairs 33 hereinafter), is equally showered onto the roller pairs 33, and further, is stored in the solution pans 34 provided for each roller of the roller pairs 33; the solution or washing water is supplied onto the surface of the photosensitive material F, sandwiched and conveyed by the rollers, and used for processing; or the processing solution supplied from the rollers onto the photosensitive material F is conveyed to the lower roller or its solution pan 34; or the processing solution stored in the upper solution pan 34 overflows to the lower roller or its solution pan, and the processing solution is used for processing while being supplied onto the photosensitive material F conveyed from above by the lower rollers.
  • the development processing is performed by at least one of the
  • the bottom portion of the solution pan 34 is inclined with respect to the direction of the roller shaft.
  • the processing solution which falls and is supplied from above through the above-described path, flows smoothly in the direction of the roller shaft to an overflow exit 34A.
  • the surface of the roller is immersed uniformly in the solution pan 34, so that the processing solution is equally supplied onto the photosensitive material F.
  • the overflow processing solution flows into the lower solution pan from above through a pipe 34C.
  • the structure which causes the solution to flow from the center toward the ends, or the structure which causes the solution to flow in the direction of the roller shaft after the solution has dripped being divided into several portions may be applied to this the embodiment. By this structure, the efficiency of processing-reaction of the photosensitive material F is increased and the washing efficiency of the photosensitive material and/or the conveyance path can also be enhanced.
  • the overflow exit 34A described in the embodiment of item 2 is provided to the end portion of the solution pan 34 as shown by 34D.
  • the overflowing processing solution flows into a solution supply inlet 34E provided to the end portion of the lower solution pan 34 through the pipe 34C.
  • another overflow exit 34D provided so that the processing solution flowing along the inclined surface of the bottom portion toward the opposite end, can overflow, the overflow solution flows into the solution supply inlet provided to a further lower solution pan 34.
  • the pipe 34C may be flexible hoses.
  • the embodiment of item 59 is further advanced so that the processing reaction and the washing efficiency are further improved, and the overall production becomes easier.
  • the overflow solution is caused to further flow into another solution pan 34 provided just below another roller of the roller pair 33, not into the solution pan 34 provided just below the one roller, that is, into the lower solution pan 34 provided diagonally below the one roller.
  • the overflow pipes 34C toward the front and rear solution pans arranged in the up-path or the down-path are arranged alternately and connected.
  • Fig. 11 plural sets of the roller 33 and its solution pan 34 are arranged zigzag on both sides of the vertically conveyed photosensitive material F.
  • the adjoining rollers, sandwiching the photosensitive material, attribute to the conveyance of the photosensitive material as a pair of rollers.
  • light-sensitive material F tends to be scratched by providing the above-mentioned arrangement, favorable quality can be resulted in by adopting a stiff substrate having little flexibility.
  • Fig. 12 (a) (a perspective view of a solution reservior), Fig. 12(b) (an end view of its X-X plane and Z-Z plane) and Fig. 12 (c) (an end view of its Y-Y plane), the embodiment of item 63 arranges that solution reservior 34 for paired roller 33 used not used for each roller but used for both rollers.
  • the center of the reservior was swollen from the bottom thereof by means of dike 34H and slit window 34G through which light-sensitive material passes was opened at the center of the swollen upper surface.
  • solution reservior 34 includes each roller of paired rollers 33. Accordingly, it is possible to halve the number of member. The machine is simplified and manufacturing cost therefor can be reduced.
  • the embodiment of item 64 is that the upper rollers can receive all processing solution falling from light-sensitive material F by arranging shaft direction length 1 and width w of paired rollers 33 to be respectively shorter than the length L and width W of the solution reservior 34. Due to this structure, multi-step counter flow formed on the up-path of the above-mentioned light-sensitive material and multi-step ordinary flow formed on the down-path of light-sensitive material F can effectively function. Specifically, in accordance with the form of multi-step counter flow, rapid processing can be realized.
  • the embodiment of item 65 is to conduct accurate heating and temperature-adjusting including the temperature of air in the tanks effectively with little energy by providing heating and temperature-adjusting means in a circulation path which feeds the processing solution from the storage tank of the processing solution to the paired rollers and/or the solution reservoirs and inside the solution reservoirs to which the processing solution is fed and by providing lid R above the above-mentioned processing sections (developing step 10, fixing step 30 and washing step 40) so that each section is to be substantially tightly closed. Due to the above-mentioned structure, stable processing performance can be attained in terms of light-sensitive material finish-processing.
  • At least one roller of the roller pair 33 immersed in the solution pan 34 is a drive roller, and the roller is driven for a predetermined period of time per a predetermined time even during non-operation of the apparatus.
  • the roller is driven for a predetermined period of time per a predetermined time even during non-operation of the apparatus.
  • staining of the roller is caused.
  • the roller is rotated at appropriate timing, the phenomena of the roller stain is avoided.
  • the roller is controlled to be driven for 2 - 60 seconds every 5 - 60 minutes even during the non-operation of the apparatus.
  • the automatic development processor shown in Fig. 1 can development-process each type of photosensitive material when the processing solution in each process is selected as follows: 1st process 2nd process 3rd process 4th process Color paper: color developer ⁇ bleach and fix solution ⁇ stabilizing solution ⁇ drying Printing film, X-ray film: developing solution ⁇ fixing solution ⁇ washing water ⁇ drying
  • FIG. 8 A side view showing the outline structure in Fig. 8, shows that the multi-function processing, described above, can be performed.
  • Fig. 8 also shows that a separation wall between the fixing process or the bleaching and fixing process, which is the 2nd process, and the washing process or the stabilizing solution process, which is the 3rd process, can be removed to reduce the weight and to simplify the structure of the development processor. That is, each circulation processing solution, concentrated processing solution, city water, or stabilizing solution as a new solution from the upside, or the circulation processing solution from the reservoir 32, provided in the lower portion, is supplied by an appropriate amount which is near the required minimum amount. Accordingly, the processing solution in the lower reservoir 32, is the constantly appropriate fixing solution or bleach and fix solution, and does not spatter to the circumference of the development processor, so that the solution can efficiently be in contact with the photosensitive material.
  • the fixing solution or the bleach and fix solution in the processing solution reservoir 32 in the lower portion is always maintained to have appropriate concentration, and is sprayed and circulated by a pump.
  • a new solution of the fixing solution or the bleach and fix solution is appropriately supplied through the nozzle 98 from the replenishment tank 91 in the upper portion.
  • the washing water When the washing water is used, an appropriate amount of city water is supplied in the same manner as shown in Fig. 1.
  • the stabilizing solution When the stabilizing solution is used, the solution is appropriately heated by a heater 75, while it flows from a stabilizing solution replenishment tank 95, provided in the upper portion, through the heater 75, and flows from a nozzle 48 into the processing tank.
  • a temperature sensor and a heater are provided together with a pump in each circulation path as shown in Fig. 1, only a portion of those units is shown in Fig. 8.
  • a side view showing the outline structure in Fig. 9, represents an example of the automatic development processor for color film, and is a view showing the more simplified automatic development processor shown in Fig. 2, which is an example described mainly in the item 44.
  • the stabilizing solution which is supplied from a stabilizing solution replenishment tank 54, and which counterflows down while being in contact with a roller 53, having the processing agent maintaining function, in the second up-path, and the photosensitive material F, is mixed with and stored in the fixing solution in the fixing solution reservoir portion without being independently stored in the lower portion. Then, the stabilizing solution is maintained with the appropriate concentration as a dilution solution for the fixing solution, together with a new solution of the fixing solution separately supplied periodically.
  • the solution is supplied, with circulation using a pump 35B, onto the surface of the conveyed photosensitive material by a nozzle 38B from the upper portion of the second down-path.
  • the fixing solution which is a branched portion from the circulation path, is supplied from a nozzle 38A by a predetermined amount by a constant amount pump 108 in the upper portion, and is in contact, in the status of counter flow, with a roller 33A having the processing agent maintaining function in the upper portion, or the photosensitive material F conveyed upward by the roller 33A. Then, the fixing solution gradually flows downward, and it is considered that the solution is exhausted to almost the limit when the solution reaches the reservoir in the lower portion. Accordingly, the solution is disposed as a waste solution.
  • a simple cover R is provided independently or integrally with the adjoining tank, on the upper portion of each processing tank.
  • This cover is provided to prevent the gas in the tank from being replaced with the air, and is intended to prevent the smell generated by high temperature processing of the processing solution.
  • the smell is only slightly generated when the fixing solution described in the item (57) is used. Accordingly, the pseudo-closed structure is sufficient for the above purpose.
  • An automatic development processor in the example consists of: a color development processing process 2 in which printing paper is color development processed by a color development solution stored in a color development solution reservoir section 27; a bleaching processing process 4 which bleaching-processes the printing paper, developed in the color development processing process 2, by a bleaching solution; a fixing processing process 6 which fixing-processes the printing paper, bleaching-processed in the bleaching processing process 4, by a fixing solution; a washing processing process 8 which washing-processes the printing paper, fixing-processed in the fixing processing process 6, by washing water; and a dry processing process 9 which dries the washing-processed printing paper.
  • the photosensitive material detection sensor 20 provided at the entrance for the printing paper detects the passage of the printing paper in front of this sensor.
  • the time of the passage of the printing paper is determined in each processing process according to the time of the passage of the printing paper detected by the photosensitive material detection sensor 20. Further, the amount of processed printing paper is computed from the total of the passing time of the printing paper, detected by the photosensitive material detection sensor 20.
  • the dry processing process 9 is processed by dry hot air by a commercial conventional dry hot air fan 91.
  • the automatic development processor has a feature in which the color development processing process 2, bleaching processing process 4, fixing processing process 6 and washing processing process 8 are included in a single processing tank 1, having a pseudo sealed structure. Further, the automatic development processor is provided with a roller transportation type conveyance method in which the printing paper is pinched and conveyed by plural conveyance roller pairs. A down-path from top to bottom, and the up-path from bottom to top are provided in the processing tank 1 having the pseudo sealed structure, as conveyance paths for the printing paper conveyed by the conveyance roller pairs. The bleaching processing process 4 and the fixing processing process 6 are provided in the down-path.
  • a curved conveyance path 197 following to the down-conveyance path, and the up-conveyance path following the curved conveyance path 197 are provided in the processing tank 1 having the pseudo sealed structure.
  • the washing processing process 8 which washing-processes the printing paper is provided in the up-conveyance path. Thereby, the area required for mounting the automatic development processor can be further decreased.
  • the down-conveyance path having the color development processing process 2 and the bleaching processing process 4, the curved conveyance path, and the up-conveyance path having the fixing processing process 6 and the washing processing process 8 are provided in the processing tank 1 with the pseudo sealed structure. Because the washing processing process 8 is provided in the processing tank 1 with the pseudo sealed structure, the water evaporation from the processing solution in the color development processing process 2, bleaching processing process 4 and fixing processing process 6, can be prevented, and the crystallization of solids due to water evaporation in the bleaching processing process 4 and the fixing processing process 6 can also be prevented, resulting in a decrease of the frequency of maintenance operations in the various processing processes. Accordingly, although the processing tank 1 with the pseudo sealed structure is mounted in a narrow space highly densely, the ease of maintenance of the entire operation can be improved.
  • the color development processing process 2, bleaching processing process 4, fixing processing process 6 and washing processing process 8, provided in the processing tank 1 with the pseudo sealed structure, have a plurality of solution pans incorporated with conveyance roller pairs. Each process is structured such that the processing solution naturally falls from the adjacent higher solution pan to the next lower solution pan in the same processing process.
  • a supply pipe to supply the processing solution to the uppermost solution pan in the same processing process is provided in each process. That is, in the color development processing process 2, the color development solution is supplied from a color development solution supply pipe 26 to the uppermost solution pan in the color development processing process 2.
  • the bleaching solution is supplied from a bleaching solution supply pipe 46 to the uppermost solution pan in the bleaching processing process 4.
  • the fixing solution is supplied from a fixing solution supply pipe 66 to the uppermost solution pan in the fixing processing process 6, and in the washing processing process 8, the washing water is supplied from a washing water supply pipe 86 to the uppermost solution pan in the washing processing process 8.
  • the condition of flow is a normal multi-step flow having the number of processing steps equal to the number of solution pans.
  • the concentration of reaction components of the processing solution becomes high, and the solution has smaller elution and is highly active. Further, the reaction efficiency is enhanced, resulting in quicker overall processing and a reduction of the overall size of the apparatus.
  • the solution flow is under the condition of a multi-step counter flow processing having the number of processing steps equal to the number of solution pans.
  • the bleaching solution is supplied from a bleaching solution tank 41 to the bleaching solution supply pipe 46 by a bleaching solution supply pump 43, for a predetermined period of time of Tb3 at every predetermined time interval Tb2 after the passing time of the printing paper in the bleaching processing process 4, obtained from the passing time of the printing paper detected by the photosensitive material detection sensor 20, a predetermined time Tb1 before and after the above-described passing time, and the passing time of the printing paper just before in the bleaching processing process 4.
  • the bleaching solution passes sequentially through the bleaching solution tank 41, the bleaching solution supply pump 43, a portion incorporating a bleaching solution heater 44, and the portion incorporating a bleaching solution thermometer 45, and arrives at the bleaching solution supply pipe 46.
  • the bleaching solution heater 44 heats the bleaching solution
  • the bleaching solution thermometer 45 measures the temperature of the heated bleaching solution.
  • Heating of the bleaching solution by the bleaching solution heater 44 is controlled so that the temperature of the heated bleaching solution equals a predetermined temperature Teb, by the control in combination of the feed-forward control and the feedback control, based on the temperature of the bleaching solution measured by the bleaching solution thermometer 45 and the temperature of water measured by a water thermometer provided in the bleaching tank 41, not shown in the drawings.
  • a predetermined amount jb of bleaching solution replenishment agent is supplied from a bleaching solution replenishment agent container 42, and a predetermined amount Qb of waste washing water is supplied from a washing water delivery pipe 89 by a bleaching solution replenishment water pump 114.
  • the fixing solution is supplied from a fixing solution tank 61 to the fixing solution supply pipe 66 by a fixing solution supply pump 43, for a predetermined period of time of Tf3 at every predetermined time interval Tf2 after the passing time of the printing paper in the fixing processing process 6, obtained from the passing time of the printing paper detected by the photosensitive material detection sensor 20, a predetermined time Tfl before and after the above-described passing time, and the passing time of the printing paper just before in the fixing processing process 6.
  • the fixing solution passes sequentially from the fixing solution tank 61, through the fixing solution supply pump 63, a portion incorporating a fixing solution heater 64, and the portion incorporating a fixing solution thermometer 65, and arrives at the fixing solution supply pipe 66.
  • the fixing solution heater 64 heats the fixing solution
  • the fixing solution thermometer 65 measures the temperature of the heated fixing solution. Heating of the fixing solution by the fixing solution heater 64 is controlled so that the temperature of the heated fixing solution equals a predetermined temperature TEf, by the control in combination of the feed-forward control and the feedback control, based on the temperature of the fixing solution measured by the fixing solution thermometer 65 and the temperature of water measured by a water thermometer provided in the fixing tank 61, not shown in the drawings.
  • a predetermined amount jf of a fixing solution replenishment agent is supplied from a fixing solution replenishment agent container 62, and a predetermined amount Qf of waste washing water is supplied from a washing water delivery pipe 89 by a fixing solution replenishment water pump 116.
  • TEd, TEb, TEf and TEw may or may not be equal to each other, and each temperature is preferably set appropriately. Further, it is preferable that Jb and Jf, and Qb and Qf are appropriately set respectively.
  • a delivery pan which is a solution pan of the lowermost conveyance roller pair, is provided below the lowermost conveyance roller pair in the color development processing process 2.
  • the color development solution which has been used for processing is delivered from the color development solution delivery exit 28 of the delivery pan by the color development solution delivery pipe 29.
  • the conveyance roller pairs in the down-conveyance path from top to bottom are provided at equal intervals to other pairs. (In the drawing, intervals of these rollers are not equal so that the delivery pan and the supply pipe can be more clearly shown.)
  • Members to support the delivery pan and the bleaching solution supply pipe 46 in the color development processing process 2 are provided between conveyance roller pairs in the down-conveyance path. Position s of the delivery pan and the bleaching solution supply pipe 46 in the color development processing process 2 can be changed in the down-conveyance path. Thereby, the processing path can be changed by changing these positions, and processing can be carried out even when the processing process is different due to the type of printing paper, the type of processing solution, or the like.
  • a delivery pan which is the solution pan of the lowermost conveyance roller pair, is provided to deliver the washing water which has been used for processing below the lowermost conveyance roller pair in the washing processing process 8, and the washing water used for the processing is delivered from a washing water delivery exit 88 of the delivery pan by a washing water delivery pipe 89.
  • the conveyance roller pairs in the up-conveyance path from bottom to top are provided at equal intervals to other pairs. (In the drawing, the interval of these rollers is not equal to more clearly show the delivery pan and the supply pipe.)
  • Members to support the delivery pan and the fixing solution supply pipe 66 in the washing processing process 8 are provided between the conveyance roller pairs in the up-conveyance path. Position of the delivery pan and the fixing solution supply pipe 66 in the washing processing process 8 can be changed in the up-conveyance path. Thereby, the processing path can be changed by changing these positions, and the invention can cope with the differences of the processing process due to the type of printing paper, the type of processing solution, or the like.
  • a bleaching solution reservoir portion 47 is provided below the curved conveyance path 197.
  • the bleaching solution used in the bleaching processing process 4 drips into the bleaching solution reservoir portion 47.
  • a bleaching solution delivery exit 48 is provided at a predetermined height in the bleaching solution reservoir portion 47 so that the solution stored in the bleaching solution reservoir portion 47 does not exceed a predetermined level.
  • a fixing solution reservoir portion 67 is provided below the curved conveyance path 197.
  • the fixing solution used in the fixing processing process 6 falls into the fixing solution reservoir portion 67.
  • a fixing solution delivery exit 68 is provided at a predetermined height in the fixing solution reservoir portion 67 so that the solution stored in the fixing solution reservoir portion 67 does not exceed a predetermined level.
  • the overall size of the automatic development processor is decreased by providing the bleach-fixing processing process which is integrated with the bleaching processing process and fixing processing process.
  • the bleaching processing process 4 and the fixing processing process 6 under the bleaching processing process 4 are provided separately from each other.
  • the performance of the bleaching solution and that of the fixing solution are independently exerted; the bleaching solution and the fixing solution having higher reaction properties which can not be achieved with conventional bleach-fixing solutions, can also be used; and the reaction efficiency of the processing solution on the printing paper is enhanced, so that quicker processing can be realized.
  • the bleaching solution naturally falls from top to bottom in the bleaching processing process 4, the bleaching solution consumes oxides in air such as oxygen in the processing tank 1. Accordingly, the bleaching solution becomes more active, and deterioration by oxidation of other processing solutions in the processing tank 1 can be prevented.
  • a delivery pan 14 provided below the lowermost conveyance roller pair in the bleaching processing process 4, to deliver the bleaching solution used for processing, has the same structure as the delivery pan 14 in the bleaching processing process 4 in embodiment 1.
  • the delivery pan 14 is provided at a position in which the lowermost conveyance roller 12 in the bleaching processing process 4 is immersed in the bleaching solution so that the position of the delivery pan 14 can be changed in the down-conveyance path.
  • the washing processing process in steps (2) through (4) is a process for washing out the bleaching processing solution.
  • the washing processing process in steps (5) through (18) is a process for washing out the color development processing solution.
  • the washing processing process is a process for washing out the development processing solution.
  • down-conveyance path is provided vertically, but may be provided diagonally.
  • conveyance rollers are arranged as the conveyance roller pair.
  • the conveyance rollers may be arranged in such a manner that the rollers are opposed to a guide or a conveyance belt and are in pressure contact with them, or the conveyance rollers may be arranged zigzag.
  • the rollers are arranged as conveyance roller pairs or zigzag, when silver halide photographic photosensitive material, which forms a transmission-type image, or reflection-type images on both surfaces by processing, is processed.
  • the rollers are arranged as conveyance roller pairs or zigzag, it is also preferable that the conveyance rollers are arranged in such a manner that the rollers are opposed to a guide or a conveyance belt and are in pressure contact with them.
  • the guide or the conveyance rollers are arranged so that the image forming surface, (the emulsion surface on the printing paper), is conveyed facing the conveyance rollers, from the view point of preventing damage on the image forming surface, the prevention of unevenness, and the processing solution stirring property.
  • materials, in which chemical resistance to the processing solution is high are preferable, that is, for example, rubber materials such as silicone-type rubber, EPDM-type rubber and fluorine-type rubber; resin materials such as phenol resins, PPS resins, modified PPO resins, PPE resins, polyethylene resins, polypropylene resins, polytviunyl chloride resins, fluorine-type resins, silicone-type resins, polyamide resins, polyacrylnitrile resins, ethylene ⁇ vinyl alcohol copolymer resins, and polyvinylidene chloride resins, are preferable.
  • the conveyance roller may be entirely formed of a single material, or the surface portion and the central portion may be formed of different materials.
  • the interior of the conveyance roller may be solid or hollow.
  • the conveyance roller may be structured of a single member, or materials of the roller shaft and the other portions may be different from each other. Further, the conveyance roller may be structured such that a roller shaft penetrates the entire central portion of the conveyance roller; the roller shaft does not penetrate the entire central portion of the conveyance roller, and roller shafts provided on both ends of the conveyance roller are supported by bosses set on both ends of the central portion of the conveyance roller; or other structures may also be applied for the conveyance roller.
  • the member of the other portions may be structured by a single member, or the boss engaged on the roller shaft and the outer peripheral layer provided around the boss; or other members may also be applied for the conveyance roller.
  • metal such as stainless steel (SUS316, SUS316L or SUS317) or titanium is preferably used. Structures of such conveyance rollers are disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Publication Open to Public Inspection Nos. 44032/1996, and 40052/1995.
  • both ends of the boss and the outer peripheral layer may be on the same plane; the boss may protrude from the end of the outer peripheral layer; or the boss may be recessed from the end of the outer peripheral layer, and in any case, the length of the roller is the length of the outer peripheral layer, in the direction of the conveyance roller shaft.
  • materials in which chemical resistance against the processing solution is high, are preferable, that is, for example, rubber materials such as silicone-type rubbers, EPDM-type rubbers and fluorine-type rubbers; resin materials such as phenol resins, PPS resins, modified PPO resins, PPE resins, polyethylene resins, polypropylene resins, polytviunyl chloride resins, fluorine-type resins, silicone-type resins, polyamide resins, polyacrylnitrile resins, ethylene ⁇ vinyl alcohol copolymer resins, and polyvinylidene chloride resins, and metal materials such as titanium, titanium alloys and stainless alloys are preferable.
  • rubber materials such as silicone-type rubbers, EPDM-type rubbers and fluorine-type rubbers
  • resin materials such as phenol resins, PPS resins, modified PPO resins, PPE resins, polyethylene resins, polypropylene resins, polytviunyl chloride resins, fluorine-type resins, silicone-type resin
  • the respective processing solutions are controlled so as to have temperatures not less than 20°C and not higher than 40°C.
  • the temperature of the rinsing water or the stabilizing solution is adjusted to be not less than 40°C and not higher than 60°C, a more rapid rinsing effect or rapid stabilizing effect is obtained, which is also preferable in the light of consequential down-sizing of the apparatus.
  • dihydroxy benzene compounds such as hydroquinones; aminophenol compounds such as N-methyl-p-amino phenol; pyrazolidone compounds such as 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolicone; reducing agents and ascorbic acid compounds are preferably used as developing agents.
  • other additives such as thiosulfites, organic reducing agents, chelating agents, hardeners, anti-silver sludge agents, buffers, development accelerators, anti-foggants, etc., may be added.
  • the pH of the developing solutions of monochromatic photographic photosensitive materials for black-and-white photography is usually not less than 9 and not higher than 12.
  • aromatic primary amino color developing agents such as p-phenylenediamine type compounds, aminoiphenol compounds, etc.
  • the color developing solution is an aqueous alkalne solution.
  • pH adjustors such as salts of weak metal acids (carbonates, borates, phosphates, etc.); preservers such as sulfites, hydroxylamines, diethylhydroxylamines, hydrazines, phenyl semicarbazide, triethanolamine or catecol sulfonate, etc.; organic solvents such as ethylene glycol or diethylene glycol, etc.; chelating agents such as aminopoly organic acids (carboxylic acids, phosphoric acids, etc.); development accelerators such as benzyl alcohol, amines, etc.; fogging agents such as sodium borone halide, etc.; auxiliary developing agents such as 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone, etc.; anti-foggants such as benzimidazoles, benzthiazoles, mercapto compounds, etc.; dye-forming couplers; competing couplers; organic reducing agents; hardening agents; anti-silver
  • bleaching agent multi-valent metallic (iron(III), cobalt(III), chromium(IV), copper(II), etc.)compounds, persulfates, quinone compounds or nitro compounds are preferably used.
  • ferric(III) polyaminopolycarboxylic acid complexes such as ferric (III) ethylenediamine-N-(b-oxyethyl)N,N',N'-triacetate complexes, ferric(III) cyclohexanediaminetetraacetate complexes, ferric(III) ethyletherdiamine tetraacetate complexes, phenylenediamine acetate complexes, ferric(III) ethylene diamine tetra acetate complexes, etc. or persulfates are preferable in the light of more rapid processability and anti-environmental pollution.
  • bleach accelerators may be added in addition to the bleaching agent.
  • the bleach accelerator compounds having a mercapto group or disulfide bond, thiazoline derivatives, thiourea derivatives, iodides, polyoxyethylene compounds, polyamine compounds, bromides can be mentioned.
  • compounds having a mercapto group or a disulfide bond are preferable in view of the bleach acceleration effect.
  • bleaching or bleach-fixing solution as a matter of course, blowing of oxygen or air (aeration) can be made in order to enhance bleaching activity of the solution.
  • oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide, bromates, persulfates, etc., may be added in appropriate amounts.
  • Bleach or bleach-fixing solutions by their nature, absorb oxygen from the air, and thereby naturally enhance bleaching activity.
  • thiosulfates In fixing or bleach-fixing solutions, thiosulfates, thiocyanates, thioether-type compounds, salts of thiourea, etc. are preferably used. Among these, as the main ingredient, thiosulfates (particularly, sodium thiosulfate, potassium thiosulfate and ammonium thiosulfate) are preferably used.
  • preservatives such as sulfites, bisulfites sulfinates, carbonyl bisulfite addition products, etc.; pH buffers such as acetic acid or boric acid; pH adjuster such as sulfuric acid; chelating agents to soften hard water; etc. may also be added.
  • stabilizing solutions contain, for the purpose of stabilizing images, inorganic or organic acids or salts to adjust pH of the membrane.
  • the stabilizing solution may contain, in addition to the above, alkaline agents, aldehyde compounds, chelating agents, fungicides, color tone-adjusting agents, agents for improving residual colors, etc.
  • the water washing processing process and the stabilization processing process are processes of multi-step counter-flow type. In this case, as the number of processing steps, 2 through 6 steps (specifically 2 through 4) are preferable. Further, it is preferable that the delivery solution of washing water and the stabilizing solution are directly or indirectly supplied into the fixing solution and the bleach-fixing solution.
  • the supply amount of washing water and the stabilizing solution, used in the water washing processing process and the stabilization processing process is preferably not less than 50 cc/m 2 and not more than 1000 cc/m 2 per 1 m 2 of silver halide photographic photosensitive material.
  • the washing processing process is a process for washing out the processing solutions, adhering to the silver halide photographic photosensitive material, from the prior processing process, and it is preferable to use simple water in this process. It is preferable that the water used in the washing processing process is directly or indirectly supplied into the processing solution of the previous processing process, and is used as a dilution solution of the replenishing agents for the previous processing process. Further, is preferable that the washing processing process is a multi-step counterflow type process. When the processing process just before the washing processing process is the color development processing process, the supply amount of water used for the washing processing process is preferably not less than 50 cc/m 2 and not more than 1000 cc/m 2 per 1 m 2 of silver halide photographic photosensitive material.
  • the processing solution is supplied from the upside of the up-path of the photosensitive material conveyance path in each processing process of the present invention, it is not necessary to connect many processing tanks in a series, and the same many-step counter-flow effects as those in such a case can be exhibited. Further, even when a small amount of processing solution is used, and the temperature of processing solution is considerably high (40 - 80 °C), because the processing solution renewal ratio is higher, there is no possibility of deterioration caused by oxidation, and quick processing can be achieved. The processing agent replenishment amount is also greatly reduced, so that the size of the automatic development processor can be greatly reduced, and its structure can be greatly simplified.
  • a problem of the smell generated by the air-contact of the fixing solution can be solved as follows.
  • the smell of ammonium can be suppressed when the main components of thiosulfate and sulfite are replaced with sodium salt, instead of ammonium salt.
  • the processing reaction becomes more uniform, the efficiency of washing becomes higher, and higher processing quality can be attained.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Silver Salt Photography Or Processing Solution Therefor (AREA)
  • Photographic Processing Devices Using Wet Methods (AREA)
EP96306213A 1995-08-30 1996-08-28 Behandlungsgerät für lichtempfindliches Silberhalogenidmaterial Ceased EP0762205A1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

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JP221991/95 1995-08-30
JP7221991A JPH0968787A (ja) 1995-08-30 1995-08-30 ハロゲン化銀写真感光材料用自動現像機及び処理方法
JP9106496A JPH09281683A (ja) 1996-04-12 1996-04-12 写真感光材料用自動現像機
JP91064/96 1996-04-12

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EP0909984A2 (de) * 1997-10-09 1999-04-21 Eastman Kodak Company Verarbeitung von photographischem Material

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US6203219B1 (en) * 1997-08-22 2001-03-20 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Photosensitive material processing apparatus
US5923916A (en) * 1997-10-09 1999-07-13 Eastman Kodak Company Processing assembly having a processing apparatus with an inclined processing path
JPH11223912A (ja) * 1998-02-06 1999-08-17 Konica Corp ペーパー用現像処理装置
JP3436488B2 (ja) * 1998-06-16 2003-08-11 富士写真フイルム株式会社 感光材料処理装置の動作方法

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EP0909984A2 (de) * 1997-10-09 1999-04-21 Eastman Kodak Company Verarbeitung von photographischem Material
US5899594A (en) * 1997-10-09 1999-05-04 Eastman Kodak Company Processing apparatus and method utilizing a tray assembly and a guide path arrangement
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